Crime & Safety

Person Who Crushed Seagull with Brick-Sized Rock Sought, Reward Offered

Suffolk County SPCA offers $1,000 reward for information on who threw the rock that killed the gull.

A reward is being offered for information about the person who killed a seagull by throwing a rock the size of a brick at it in Montauk on Saturday.

The Suffolk County SPCA is offering $1,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person who threw the rocks at the sea gull in Montauk.

Roy Gross, Chief of the Suffolk SPCA, said there are reports that a patron at the motel was throwing rocks at the birds after luring them with bread between 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.

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Gross said that a rock the size of a brick was thrown at one of the sea gulls. It began throwing up blood and bread.

"Talk about premeditated acts of animal abuse," Gross said on Wednesday morning. "This was a cowardly, deliberate act, against an innocent bird," he said.

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"A woman wearing a red bathing suit was walking along the beach and reportedly took pictures of the entire incident and we are looking for that person or any other person who witnessed this incident to come forward," Gross said in a statement. He believes she was yelling at the individual or individuals to stop and hopes she will come forward.

The East Hampton Town police were called initially and a guest at the motel phoned the Wildlife Rescue Center, which took the sea gull, but it soon after succumb to its injuries, Gross said.

This is the third reported act of cruelty committed on wildlife in Suffolk County in as many weeks.

On Friday, a with an arrow near the in Riverhead. It is currently recovering at the  in Hampton Bays.

In early July, a driven through its shell. The turtle is recovering at the

The person who threw the rock is facing a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge and a penalty of up to one year in prison and/or a $1,000 fine.

"Unfortunately, it's not a felony because it's not a companion animal," Gross said.

However, the person could also face charges from the Department of Environmental Conservation or the US Fish and Wildlife Service.

Anyone with information can contact the Suffolk County SPCA at 631-382-7722.  All calls will be kept confidential.

Check back for information on this story when it becomes available.


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